The Team Canada World Juniors roster appears set, with two final dominos falling: San Jose will not loan defenseman Sam Dickinson, per Frank Seravalli, and Seattle won’t loan forward Berkly Catton either, also noted by Seravalli.
Dickinson was a real candidate, as he would have brought key experience to Team Canada’s back end, as the only returning defenseman on the team. The 19-year-old has the distinction of being the only d-man under 20 to not be loaned out, other than Matthew Schaefer, which is to no surprise. Dickinson has not made quite the same impact as last summer’s first overall pick, as he has just three points in 27 games. Although helping lead Team Canada in a push for gold for a final time could have been a breath of fresh air for the exciting two-way defender, San Jose opts to hold onto Dickinson and not lose a true lineup contributor who continues to develop.
Similar to Dickinson, Catton has not exactly had a Schaefer-like impact yet either, with five points in 21 games, all assists. However, as emphasized by Seravalli, Catton is set to return from injury soon, and with Mason Marchment traded to Columbus, he will have a larger role on the Kraken once healthy, enough to keep the skilled forward from a Team Canada return.
Elsewhere across the league:
- Despite rumblings, Predators forward Ryan O’Reilly is not open to being moved at this time, as shared by Pierre LeBrun in an article for The Athletic. The respected veteran center is a pending free agent on an affordable ($4.5MM) contract, so naturally the appeal is there. However, although he has no such trade protection, O’Reilly and Nashville have a mutual agreement to treat it as if so, and for now, the 34-year-old will stay put. O’Reilly has 28 points in 34 games, continuing to play at a high level on both ends. However, GM Barry Trotz brought him in prior to 2023-24, when the Predators appeared firmly in a rebuild, before their attempted revival. Therefore, while on paper it would be wise to bring in a haul, O’Reilly’s impact in the locker room was always a major focus. Things could be revisited closer to the Trade Deadline, but O’Reilly simply playing out the deal is a real possibility, especially as the Ontario native has already won a Stanley Cup.
- Ahead of tonight’s game, Maple Leafs Head Coach Craig Berube told reporters, including David Alter of The Hockey News, that Easton Cowan and Calle Jarnkrok would be scratched, while Max Domi and Steven Lorentz entered the lineup in Dallas. Cowan’s designation comes as a bit of a surprise as he was in the starting lineup on the first line last night in Nashville, notching 16:17 of ice time, with an assist. The 20-year-old has 11 points in 26 games, but according to Berube, a reset is needed. Jarnkrok has been a solid third liner for years, but at 34, he has just four goals on the season and his scratching is less of a surprise. Meanwhile, Domi jumps right into Cowan’s slot on the first line, eager to find his game in a bid to extend his Leafs tenure. Finally, Lorentz returns to a fourth line deployment, a role familiar for the 29-year-old.
As long as your “leadership” group includes “soft” players like Reilly and Matthews (in no particular order), Berube is flogging a dead horse.
Why is Easton Cowan being scratched but losers Nylander and Matthews are immune to it? They are the main reasons why the leafs are a dumpster fire.
The Leafs have been Irrelevant for a really long time, And, As long as the front office remains political, And, toxic, It won’t change.
This season should be a wakeup call for the Leafs, and also a great opportunity to reload for the future. They have some pieces that could bring back draft picks and restock the system a bit.
Laughton, McMann, Roy, OEL, hell maybe even Stetcher could all bring back decent picks. Ask Rielly if he wants a change of scenery, shop Carlo when he’s healthy.
Restock the cupboard, fire Treliving, surround Matthews and Nylander with some real pricks and hope that style of play rubs off. Lean into dirty hockey instead of 6’4″ players who are slow and soft. If you can’t take a step forward next season then start the teardown.
Berube’s manuevering didn’t help. Me thinks he may be a big part of the problem.
You can’t win when your leader looks like Jon Lovitz with a fake mustache.
O’Riellly got the rest of the season and next season till he’s a free agent.
meanwhile in Vegas .. someone has zero regrets about leaving
Berube is as dumb as they come. Name someone dumber, I dare you,
Ryan O’Reilly is not a free agent until after next Season so he won’t be playing out his contract this year, and a team trading for him now could have him for 2 playoff runs. I’m sure this 7 game road trip will let the Preds know if they are in the position to go for a Wildcard spot. Fun weekend in Nashville beating Toronto and the Rangers. Sweet.
5 ways to fix the Leafs:
1. fire Berube, bring in DeBoer
2. fire Treliving, bring in a GM who has won a cup.
3. get Matthews to either wave his no trade or at the least shave off that stupid moustache
4. find a taker for any 3 of the following: Rielly, Carlo, Domi, Jarnkrok, Ekman-Larsson, Robertson
5. use the space you create salary wise to buy bad expiring deals at the deadline for picks.
If a team is looking for a really slow, Aging, Third line center, Ryan O’Reilly is your guy, Speed kills in today’s NHL.
Obviously have not watched him play much